Explosive projectile



L. S. CLARKE.

ExPLoslvE 'PROJECTILL APPLICATION FILED NOV. 27. 1915.

Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

L. S. CLARKE.

EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 27. I9I5.

n 1,320,447. Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Lmw' Clarita,

ZZ@ @Wm L. S. CLARKE.

EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

APPLxcATIoN FILED Nov. 27. i915.

1,320,447. Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

LOUIS S. CLARKE, 0F HAVERFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led November 27, 1915. Serial No. 63,719.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS S. CLARKE, of Haverford, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive Projectiles, whereof the following is a speciiication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The primary purpose of my invention is for use in connection with a bomb intended to be dropped from an aerial craft for attack upon a vessel, especially a submarine,

or upon a mine field.

By way of explanation it may be stated 'that the elicien'cy of a dropped"bomb is not so great when it explodes in the air, upon the deck of a vessel, as when it explodes,

against the side thereof, and under water. Hence, in a certain sense, it may be said that it is desirable for such a bomb to miss the object at which it is aimed, provided the explosion can be madeL to occur in close proximit. thereto, and after submersion of the bom itself. My invention comprises a detonating device, which can be operated by direct impact, and, in combination therewith, means whereby the detonating device shall be operated bytravel through water alone, the last mentioned operating mechanism being capable lof adjustment, so that the, detonation chamber containing the explosive, and as ordinarily constructed, such operating portion would be termed the head, or nose- Vpiece of the'projectilev In usingthese eX- pressions, however, I have no intention -to a' 'limit' the nature or location of the working group. y i

In the accompanying drawings, FigureX, represents in perspective a general view of the projectile in a preferred form, fromv which it will be seen that it comprises arr elongated, or tapered casing, provided with means, whereby it may be conveniently suspended from an air craft and detached. These features, however, constitute no part of my invention, and hence, said ligure is merely explanatory of the general external structure.

Referring now to the detailed drawings, Figs. I to IX, both inclusive;

Fig. I, represents an exterior view of the head with various safety devices set in their protective position.

Fig. II, is an axial vertical section through the parts shown in Fig. I, with one of the protective devices removed.

Fig. III, is a partial axial section on the planeIII-IIL of Fig. II, the direction of view being at right angles to that of Fig. II.

Figs. IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII, are transverse sections on the planes indicated rby the respective numerals of said figures in Fig. II.

Fig. IX, is a .view in perspective of an lPatentedI N 0v.`4`, 1919. i

element which constitutes part of the-mechanism whereby the water depth at which explosion is to take place may be regulated.

In the following description I use the terms front and rear with reference to the direction of iight of the projectile.

The head comprises a hollow tapered casing l, which is provided at its rear end'with an externally threaded inset flange 2, adapted to engage with the internally threaded extremity 3, of the explosive chamber. This latter need vnot be described, as it may be of any of the types ordinarily used.

At its front end, the casing l, is provided with an internally threaded shoulder adapt-A ed to engageJ with a correspondingly threaded flanged annulus 4, externallyl tapered in prolongation of the casing 1.

By reference to Fig.' VIII, it will be seen l.

'that the front face of the annulus 4.-, isrecessed as indicated at 57, and that a pluralf ity' of holes 58,' extending in an axial direc,- tlon, are formed at symmetrical intervals.

Said holes. Serve as sockets to receive a securmg about to be described can be secured in dif` ferent rotative provided by the l also mounted linthe recess, which, by contact with a stop 67, upon said adjacent member, limitsthe are ofi-possible rotation of the latter.l The exterior periphery of the annulus 4, is graduated with-a scale as Shown at 61, in Fig. I, the calibration of said positions within; the range.A holes 58. A stop pin 60, is

pin 59, whereby an adjacent member scale being determined in accordance with ringl 4, and

of the portion 6, is provided with the raised stop (shown in cross section in Fig. VIII) conditions hereinafter described. The annulus 4, which may conveniently be termed a dial-ring, receives and rotatably supports the rearwardly projecting cylindrical socket portion 5, of an elementwhich, for

purposes of convenience, may be termed the depth-adjuster, as will'hereater be explained. The portion 6, of said element is externally tapered in -prolongation of the general outline, of the casing, andv its frontface is flat and provided with a circular ballrace as indicated at 7. A cylindrical axial the dial-ring. The socket 62, Aof the pin 59,

is extended suiiiciently to permit the retraction of the pin, .so as to clear the dialthus permit. rotation of the depth-adjuster with relation thereto. A spring-actuated detent 63, is vmounted in a socket 64, inthe portion 6, andenters a. shallow groove in the side of the pin 59, so

as to prevent accidental displacement of the pin when it is inserted in one vof the holes 58, while permitting the pin 5'9, to be manually moved bymeans of a finger 65, which extends outwardly throughthe slot 66, communicating with the hole 62. The rear face which, by contactwiththe pin 60, upon the dial-ring 4, prevents more than one complete rotation of the depth-adjuster with relation thereto. The externalv periphery. of the depth-adjuster is provided with? an index as shown at 68, in Fig. I, in proper relation tothe scale 61, upon the dial-ring.`

The' front extremity, or nose, 20, of the head, continues the external taper to a blunt point' as shown, and -is perforated with a cylindrical axialcavity 21, corresponding in diameter to the cavity 8, of the portion 6. The rear face of the nose 20, is Hat, as

shown,- and is provided with a circular ball Vrace 22, the balls 23', being interposed between the parts 6, and 20, vso as to provide an easy'running thrust-bearing for free rotation of the nose 20, with relation to the remainder ofthe casing. The nose 20, is

provided with propeller blades 24, whose pitch is adapted to cause rotation vof the nose, by traveling contact with water, at a rate directly proportioned to the linear ex- In the instance shown, and with a structure of the actual size represented in rigs. .I a Ix, the pitch ofthe" bladesmay vbe of twenty-four (24) inches, which would normally e'ect one rotation of the nose for each two feet of water traversed. The work to be performed by the rotation of the nose is so' light, that there is little or no slip of the blades with relation to the water. The blades`24, are represented asfour in number, but obviously thisV and. other details may be varied.

An axial spindle 26, extends through, and protrudes forwardly beyond, `the cavity 21, of the nose, and is prolonged rearwardly through the cavityl 8, of the .portion 6, being` v somewhat enlarged in diameter at itslrear extremity, which is hollow, as indicated at 28, forming a cylindrical socket. It will be noted, however, that the external diameter of said Socket .28, is considerably less than the internal diameter 'of the cavity 9, in the depth-adjuster, so as to permit .the intervention of an elongated cylindrical sleeve 40, whose details and purpose will The front end of the spindle 26, is preferably made of hardened steel, .which is cupped out'as indicated at 27, to provide a sharp annular edge, the purpose of this detail being that if the projectile strikes a metal surface, such as the sloping deck of a vessel, the end will tend to cut into it, rather than to glance oii", as is the tendency where the extremity is reduced vto a point.

The spindle 26, is keyed to the4 nose 20, by

.means of a cross pin 30, of relatively soft metal, such asbrass, the purpose of this construction belng that 1f the extremity 27, strikes a hard. surface (inwhich case the bomb is to be exploded byimpact), the pin 3.0, will be sheared off by the blow, and the spindle 26, can then act as a plunger.

Failing such severance of the p'in 30, the

spindle 26, thus keyed to the nose20, constitutes what may be considered as apropeller shaft, extending rearwardly and rotatably operated by means of the propeller blades 24, for operative eiect upon otherv members of the train. The respective modes of operation of the spindle 26, in its alternative characters of an im act lunger and a propeller shaft, will be escriI ed later on.

As asafety device. during carriage and handling of the projectile, I provide an elongated hollow cap 31, adapted to sheath the front end of the spindle, the rear face of said cap bearing against the outer, face .of the nose, and being secured in position by means of a chain 32, which is attached by a link 33, to a hook 34, removably mounted upon the par't 6, said chain also preferably carrying a plug 35, which passes through a socket 36, in the nose, and enters a cavity 37, in the part 6,v so as to prevent accidental rotation of the tip so long as the plug remains in position.

' in the nut 55, and through wall ofthe sleeve 40, so that I also provide a permanently seated, but relatively frail, retaining device, consisting of a wire of lead, or other soft metal, 38, engaging in sockets 39, formed in the proximate faces of the nose and of the part 6, whose purpose is to prevent rotation of the nose with relation to the part 6, under the effect of travel through air, said wire being strong enough to resist the effect of air pressure upon the propeller blades, but being instantly sheared off by the rotation of the nose which occurs when thefblades 24, strike water.

Passing now to the rear extremity of the spindle 26, it will be noted that the sleeve 40, which surrounds the socket portion 28, thereof, and lwhich is shown in perspective in Fig. IX, lits snugly within the cavity 9, of the depth-adjuster socket 5, and is provided with an external cam groove 4l, having a relatively steep spiral pitch. Astud 43, rigidly mounted in the part 5, projects into this camgroove. The sleeve 40, is also provided with au longitudinal spline groove 42, which engages with a stud 44,' (see F ig. VI) projecting radially inward from the stat-ionary bridge piece 113, of the housing 'which carries the iring-plunge'rs proper,

and which will 'be described later on. Said bridge-piece also acts as a support and guide for the sleeve 40, which slides freely therein. It will be seen that since the spiral cam groove 41, of the sleeve 40, engages operatively with the pin 43, rigidly secured to the part 5, of the depth-adjuster, and since the sleeve 40, is, by means of the stud 44, secured against rotation, rotative movement of the deptI-'adjuster will cause the pin 43, to act upoli'the cam surface of the groove 41, and shift the sleev 40, longitudinally inward or outward, in accordance with .the direction of such rotative movement.

The socket 28, at the rear end of the spindle 26, receives the cylindrical front end of a plunger-bolt 50, havin a screw-threaded portion 51, the pitch ofg the thread being twenty-four (24) to the inch in the instance shown. Said bolt 50, has also aV protruding end 52, which is the member which directly actuates the triggers of the firing-plungers to be described later on.- The plunger-bolt '50 is provided with a cross-pin 53ts`ee Fig. WI) which extends into longitudinal slots formed at diametrically opposite points through the wall of the socket 28. The front end of the `lplunger-bolt 50, when in its extreme retract- -1 ed position,

rests upon the bottom ofV said socket, and the threaded portion 51, engages with ari/annular nut 55, carried Within the cavity 56, at` the rear end ofthe sleeve 40. A locking wire 54, (see Fig: VI) of relatively frail material, extends through an opening the proximate said nut is retainedV against rotative movement under -normal circumstances,

.may be considered as the operating group for actuating the firing devices proper, the ultimately active element of said operating group being the protruding end 52, of the plunger-bolt 51, which may be called the trigger-finger, because it is the rearward movement of this finger, which releases the actual firing devices, when the predetermined firing point is reached.

Iny the event of direct impact of the point 27, of the spindle 26, upon a rigid object, the spindle is forced rearward bodily, shearing oi' the cross-pin 30, (which connects the spindle to the nose 20) and the wire 5-1, (which connects the nut 55, to the sleeve 40), and hence the parts carried by the spindle (terminating in the trigger finger 52) will be forced rearwardly to the lil-ing point..

If, on the other hand, the projectile strikes water, the spindle 26, is not directly forced rearward, but revolution of the propeller blades commences, the wire 38, being sheared off by rotation of the nose 20, practically as the immediate result of striking the water. Under these circumstances the. spindle 26, will be rotated and will rotate the plunger-bolt 50. Since said plungerbolt can move axially with relation to the containing socket 28, of the spindle, but is compelled to rotate therewith by reason of engagement of the stud 53, with the wall of the socket 28, the threaded portion 51, of the plunger-bolt acts as a cam by engagement with the fixed nut 55, and causes the rearward protrusion of the trigger-finger 52, to an extent corresponding with the rotative effect of the propeller blades, and pitch ofy the screw thread at 51. `With the proportions of the respective parts aboveI indica-ted and assuming that a complete rotation,ol: the nose 20, and spindle 26, will occur in travel through two feet of water, rearward travel of the trigger-finger will occur to the extent of one-twenty--fourth of an inch for each rotation of the spindle. Therefore, assuming a given firing point, at which the rearward movement of the trigger-finger Y will release or actuate the detonating mechanism, it is obvious that by initial adjustment of the end of said finger with relation to the firing point,1 any desired extent of tra-vel of the finger, and consequent delay of the cx'- plosion, can be predetermined.

Such adjustment is eected by means of the depth adjuster, acting upon the sleeve 40, in the following manner: Assuming that the locking-pin 59, has been disengaged, the depth-adjuster is turned by hand (carrying with it the nose and spindle) and the rotative travel of the stud 43, with relation to the cam groove 41,y ofthe sleeve 40, will cause said sleeve to be protruded rearwardly from the-socket 9, or withdrawn into said socket, according to the direction of rotation, and said movement of the sleeve 40, bodily shifts the plunger-boit 50, toward or from the firing-point. When the desired position of the depth-adiuster is reached, the locking pin 59, is inserted in the hole 58, corresponding thereto. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. II, the sleeve 40, is at the extreme limitof its forward movement, and the plunger-bolt 50, is withdrawn into the socket 28, to the fullest extent; hence the trigger-finger 52, is at its most remote position with relation to the firing point. l

As an incident to the rotation of the depth-adjuster, the spindle 26, is also turned, and consequently the screw thread at 51, will effect some longitudinal movement of the plunger-bolt 50.

As, however,.the pitch of tile cam incline 41', upon the sleeve 40, is very rapid, and the pitch of the screw at 51, is relatively slow, this incidental displacement of the plungerbolt is very slight, and proper allowance can readily be made therefor when the device is calibrated.

The index 68, and scale 61, provided upon the external peripheries of the casing and depth-adjuster, may be so graduated as to express the arc of rotation of the depthadjuster in terms oi feet of water travel. Thus, the device can readily be set by the operator for firing moment determined by any desired extent of water travel.

It remains to describe the group of parts which constitute the immediate firing mechanism operated by the trigger-finger 52, of the plunger-bolt. In the instance shown, this group comprises a plurality of interdependent devices, whose immediately operative elements are longitudinally moving plungers, and to conveniently distinguish these latter from the plunger-bolt previously described, I shall termthem iiring-plungers.

The main operating portions of the tiring mechanism are supported in an internal housing structure carried at the rear end 'of the casing 1.

The rear portion of said housing is a disk 80, having in this instance a rectangular slot 78, which is elongated in diametricalrelation to the disk. Immediately in front 0f the disk 80, and preferably integral therewith is a transverse cylindrical sleeve 85, which constitutes the bearing for a rotatable barrel 87. A boss 79, upon the rear tace of the sleeve extends bridgewise across a portion of the slot, and aii'or'ds a support for a Steg-pin 97, whichr will be described later on.

ametrical holes 81, 82 and 83, are

formed through both walls of the sleeve, the centralhole 82l extending also throughthe boss 79. A barrel 87, ts rotatably within the sleeve 85, said barrel being provided with diametrical holes 88, 89, and 90, registering respectively with the holes 81, 82,A

and 83, of the' sleeve.

The holes 88, 89, and 90, are provided with circular recesses at one extremity, as shown in Fig. I,'so as to receive the flanged head oi an ordinary cartridge shell such as 84, these shells belng of the kind usually a key groove 91, whereby the barrel may be rotated by means of a key 92. An elongated olpening 93, is formed through the wall of t e casing 1, vso as to permit the insertion of the key '92, which is provided with a transverse bar 94,-adapted to engage in the key groove 91, saidbar being preferably of such length that it can only be inserted in the lkey groove or withdrawn therefrom in a given rotative position of the barrel 8,7.

Adjacent to the opposite end of said barrel, an elongated'opening 96, is formed in the wall of the casing, which permits the adjacent end surface of the barrel, to be seen. The -word Safe may be marked upon that end of the barrel, the dimensions -of the letters, with relation to the opening 96, being such that, as shown in Fig. I, the

entire word is not visible when the position of the barrel is that which brings the shells 84, into line with thegrespective openings 81,

82, and 83. When, however, the cylinder 87 is turned at right angles tol the position shown in Fig. II, (so that the shells cannot be' struck by the iring-plungers) the entire word Safe will be visibie'through the elongated slot 96.

lio

In order to limit the range of rotation or the barrel 87, I provide a spring-actuated stop 97, inclosed in a socket 98, mounted upon the boss 79, which stop engages in a groove 99, upon the barrel 87 (see Fig. V and dotted lines in Fig. II). Said groove has the range of a quadrant, and is provided at each end with a siight fdepression, as shown in Fig. V, so that the pointed end of the stop 97, can eenter and hold the barrel 87 against accidental rotation, the engagement, however, being suiiiciently light to be manually overcome by the turning of the key 92.

At the front side of the sleeve bearing 85, and preferably integral therewith, are

. and are united at' their front extremities by a bridge piece 11'3, (see Figs. II and VI). The front endsjof the sockets 110, and 111,

. are closed by means of screws such as 128.

The elongated sockets 110, and 111, carry the firing-plungers 120, and 121, respectively, which/are similar to one" another, and hence a descriptlon of one will suffice for both. The firing-plunger 120, is yprovided at its rear end, with a tip 122, which is in line with the axis of the hole 81, of the sleeve' 85, and lwith the axis of the hole 88, of the barrel 87, when said barrel is turned into appropriate Cposition. In order to set or cock the iring-plun er 120, it is preferably provided at its enlarged head portion with a pin 123(shown in dotted lines in Fig. II), which protrudes through a slot 124, in the wall of the socket 110. The' firing-plunger 120, isI also provided -with a circular collar 125, beyond which its shown at 126, the' diameter is reduced as reduced portion being surrounded by na coiled spring 127, wh1ch bears at one end against the collar 125, and at the other end against l/the screw 128, whereby the front end of the socket y110, is closed. This arrangement of the protruding pin permits the firing-plunger t0 be manually pushed forward, so as to compress the coiled spring 127, before the head'is secured in position.

Obviously, however the setting of the firing-plunger may be 4 effected by other means, such as the insertion of a rod through the hole 81, of the 88, of the barrelwhen the axis of the last mentioned hole is in alinement with the axis of the plunger.

The central tubularLsocket 114, is relatively short, and receives the firing-plunger 115, whose tip is'in line with the axis of the central hole 82, of the sleeve, and whose other end portion is surrounded by a coiled vspring 116, which bears at one extremity against thetop of the socket 114. A shearable protecting wire 117, extends throughv the firing-plunger' 115, and into the walls of the socket 114, to prevent accidental displacement of said firing-plunger.

The coiled springs, such as 127, of the firing-plungers 120, and 121, are comi pressed, in the act of setting or cooking, to

an extent suiiicient to supply the necessary force for driving the firing-plungers against the bases of their respective cartridge shells, so as to explode the fulminating compound therein.

In order to engage and detain the firingplungers, when their actuating springs have been thus set,`*I provide a pair of triggers are similar, and

Y gers 130,

leeve, and hole gers 130, and 131, respectively. These trighence it will be only necessary to describe one in detail. The trigger v130, is pivotally mounted upon a pin 132, within the Wall of the socket piece 110,- and is, in effect, a right angled bell-crank lever, one

a slot 133, formed throughv extremity 134, of which engages with the rear face of the collar 125. The other arm 135, of the trigger extends radially inward toward the axis of the projectile, and is provided with a projection which enters within the spiral spring 116, before referred to as embracing the ring-plungerl These projections upon the pair'of trigand 131, aord a retaining device for said spring 116, which latter is under compression even when the triggersare in their set position shown in Fig. II.

With 4the foregoing explanation of the firing group, the operation of the actuating groii will be readily understood, an is substantlally as follows: If the projectile strikes upon a rigid surface, so that operation occurs by direct impact, the blow upon the spindle thrusts the trigger finger 52, against the radial arms of the triggers, the continuance of this movement disengaging the other arms 134, from the collars 125, of the ring-plungers 120, and 121, which then are forced by strike the shells in the holes respectively opposite to them. ,The finger 52,v also continues its movement the firing-plunger 115, which is driven against the central cartridge shell of the three. In this case there is a threefold detonating device.

If, however, the projectile merely strikes water, the nose is rotated by the effect of water-travel, upon the propeller blades, and when an extent of travel has been reached, corresponding to the setting of the depth adjuster,. the continued rotation of the spindle 26,v will, through the cam action of the screw thread 51, shift the trigger actuating finger 52, into operative contact with the radial arms 135, of the triggers, the movement continuing until a position is reached where the ends of the other: arms 134, are withdrawn from the collars 125, thus disengaging the plungers 120, and 121, whereupon the springs 127, become operative and force said firingplungers into the ends of the cartridge shellsy to which they are respectively opposed. v

,andl ultimately strikes- It is, ofcourse, unnecessary to describe the features of the bomb which relate to the explosive agents, and their inclosing devices, since these may be of any desired character, and since the functions of the parts whichv comprise my invention terminate, theoretically, with the act of causing vdetonation of the cartridge shells 84.

Having thus described my invention, I

ldesire to call lattention to a 'characteristic which I believe distinguishes it from proj ectiles heretofore employed.

I recognize that it is common to delay the explosion of a projectile, either comprehensively (as during a period of flight), or

more minutely (as Yafter impact); So far as I am aware, however, the organizations for that purpose have been preventive in their character, the object bein to retard the active effect of the detonating mechanism, until a definite interval of time or of distance traveled has elapsed.

Disinguishing characteristics-of my invention reside in the 'fact that the time element,

as such, has no relation to the desired result, and that travel is not employed to delay exi plosion, but to cause it, at a predetermined limit of movement and in the absence of im- Y described, many of whose details mightbe.

" greatly varied. For instance, the system of v firing-plungers and triggers above described is merely typical of a"n organization capable of eifecting explosion when some controlling member is moved to a predetermined firingpoint. It is obvious that such controlling member might be varied in accordance with the character of the firing devices; thus, where the latter are spring-actuated as in the present case, the controlling member releases a detent, butin the case, for instance, of electrically operated firing mechanism, the functionl of the controlling member might be to close an electric circuit.

Hencein my broader claims I refer to this group of firing mechanism as a single element, and I use the expression triggerfinger, not as a term of limitation, but as conveniently descriptive of the element whose movement, to a definite point, actuates the firing mechanism.

I also term the element, whose vtravel in contact with a medium, such as water, results in operative motion, a propeller, without meaning to -limit the character of such element.

I also employ the term bomb as 'comprehensive of any explosive projectile.

I further point out that while the numerous protective adjuncts above set forth vand' v attaching the spindle to the propeller, 1

employ the terms severable, and severably as convenient to indicate that said means can be sheared or broken by such forcenas is stated to be developed by the conditions of travel and resistance above described.

I claim: b'

l. In va bomb, the combination, with liring mechanism; of a trigger finger arranged in operative relation thereto and at a defi-Y nite interval from the firing point thereof; a propeller adapted to be operated by travel o the projectile through water, said propeller having a predetermined amount o f rotative .movement for a given unit of linear travel through water; means Afor actuating the trigger linger, said means being operable by the rotative movement of the propeller, and havinga resultant movement in correspondence with the definite interval betweenY the trigger finger and the firing point, and means for preventing the movement of the propeller dueto air.. pressure while the bomb is traveling through air.

42. In a mechanism; of a trigger finger arranged in operative relation thereto and at a definite interval from the firing pointy thereof; a propeller adapted to` be operated by travel of the projectile through water, said probomb, the combination, with firing peller having a predetermined amount of rotative movement for a given unit of linear travel through water; means foractuating the trigger finger, said means being operable by the rotative movement of the propeller, 'and having a resultant movement in correspondence with the definite interval between the trigger nger :and the firing point; means for adjusting the initial position of the trigger linger with relation to the firing point, and means for preventing the movement of the propeller due to *air pressure while the bomb is traveling through air.

3. Ina bomb, the combination, with firing i mechanism; of a trigger-finger arranged in operative relation thereto and at a definite interval" from the firing-point thereof; a

propeller adapted to be operated by travel of the projectile throughwater; a carrier for said trigger-finger capable of being moved bodily to the firing-point by direct impact, said carrier being severably connected with said propeller; and 'means whereby the resultant movement of the propeller operatively shifts the trigger-nger with' relation to said carrier and toward the iring-polnt.

4. In a bomb, the combination, with firing nected with said propeller;

mechanism; of a trigger-linger arranged in operative relation thereto and at a definite interval from the firing-point thereof; a propeller adapted to be operated by travel of the projectile through water; a carrier for said trigger-finger capable of being moved bodily to the firing-point by direct impact, said carrier being severably conmeans whereby the resultant movement of the propeller operatively shifts the trigger-finger with relation to said carrier and toward the firingpoint; and an adjusting member whereby the trigger-linger may be shifted longitudinally with relation to the carrier, independ-` ently of the action of the propeller.

5. In a bomb, the combination, with firing mechanism; of a threaded plunger provided thereto,

with a trigger-finger arranged in operative relation to-the firing mechanism and at a definite interval from the firing-point thereof; a spindle having a socket adapted to carry said plunger in splined engagement therewith; a sleeve surrounding said carrier and longitudinally adjustable with relation said sleeve being provided with a nut adapted to engage the threaded portion of the plunger; means for longitudinally adjusting said sleeve with relation to the carrier; and a propeller adapted to be operated by travel of the projectile through water, said propeller being connected to said spindle.

6. In a bomb, the combination, with firing mechanism.; of a threaded plunger provided with a trigger-finger arranged in operative relation to the firing mechanism and at a definite interval from the firing-point thereof; a spindle having a socket adapted to carry said plunger in splined engagement therewith; a longitudinally movable, but non-revoluble sleeve surrounding the carrier socket, and having a cam-groove in its outer wall; a revoluble dial-ring co-aXial With the spindle and carrying a stud which engages in said cam groove; a nut carried by said sleeve and engaging the threaded portion of the plunger; and a propeller adapted to be operated by travel of the projectile through water, said propeller being connected to said spindle.

7. In a bomb, the combination, with firing mechanism; of a trigger finger arranged in operative relation thereto and at a definite interval from the firing point thereof; a propeller adapted to be operated by travel of the projectile through water, said propeller' having a predetermined amount of rotative movement for a given unit of linear travel through water; means for actuating the trigger finger, said means being operable by the rotative movement of the propeller,

and having a resultant movement in corre spondence with the definite interval between the trigger finger and the firing pomt; and

spindle extending through said nose piece and dial-ring, said spindle being provided with a socket at its rear end; a threaded plunger carried in said socket, in splined engagement therewith, said plunger being provided with a trigger finger, in operative relation to the firing-mechanism; a longitudinally movable, non-revoluble, sleeve, surrounding said socket and spindle and provided with a nut adapted to engage the threaded portion of said plunger; means whereby rotation of the dial ring effec-ts longitudinal movement of said sleeve; and a locking pin carried by the dial-ring, and adapted to iit the respective holes in the front end of the casing.

9. In a bomb, the combination, with firing mechanism comprising a firing plunger, means for actuating said plunger and means for `detaining the actuating mechanism; of a triggerfinger arranged in operative relation to sa-id detaining means; and a revoluble barrel having a diametrical cavity ,adapted to receive a cartridge shell; and means for rotating said barrel, whereby either the wall thereof, or the aXis of the cavity therein may be brought into registry with the line of movement of the plunger.

l0. In a bomb, the combination, with firing mechanism comprising a firing plunger, means for actuating said plunger and means for detaining the actuating mechanism; of a trigger finger arranged in operative relation to said detaining means; and a revoluble barrel having a diametrical cavity adapted to receive a cartridge shell; means for rotating said barrel, whereby Teither the wall thereof, or the aXis of the ca vity therein may be brought into registry wlth the line of movement of the. plunger; and a spring actuated stop whereby the rotative movement of said barrel is restricted to predetermined limits.

11. InA a bomb, the combination of a pro peller adapted to be operated by travel of the projectile throughV water; a triggerfinger; means whereby said trigger-finger is axially shifted by the movement of said propeller; a spring actuated firing-plunger having a retaining collar; a lever having an arm adapted to engage said collar when the plunger spring is compressed, and having another arm extending within the range of moverrient of the trigger-finger; and a ar- Signed my naine at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- Vtridge Shelli retainer arranged in; operative Vania, this twenty-fourth day of November relation to :the ring-plunger and means 1915. fr whereby the shell retainer! mayhbe turned to l i LOIS S. CLARKE. 5 position the shell out of alinement with the Witnesses:

f ring plunger, substantially as set Jforth. JAMES H. Y13ML,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto 2 E'LFULLERTON. 

